Sept 4 1020 Vietnam Time - To Dong Ha/DMZ

Well, yesterday I ended up taking a "limo" van from DaNang to Khanh's house in Hue, where I dropped one suitcase. From there a taxi (at a negotiated flat rate) took me on to Dong Ha, a drive of 1.5 hours (72 km/ 45 miles). By noon I had checked into my room at Muong Thanh Hotel, 10th floor. It was a pleasant drive.

Motorbikes and bicycles are used as a primary transport means for most folks.

Interestingly, it seems that most Vietnamese females go to great lengths to avoid the sun. Even in 90-100F heat, they're covered to the max...even their hands. And it might not be for the reason that you think. I am told that they feel lighter skin is more beautiful and their goal is to avoid all exposure to sunlight. Vietnamese males accept the sun.


Entering Quang Tri,  the northernmost province in South Vietnam during the war. It bordered the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone):


 Pretty flowers in a once-brutal place:


Patriotic Banners:

Looking out my hotel window at Dong Ha and the countryside beyond:

Yesterday afternoon, Nhung was kind enough to take me from the hotel to the store to purchase candy for the 554 Nhi Ha students and some edible supplies for my room. 

 

 Lots of Treats for Nhi Ha Students

 Nhung is employed by D.O.V.E. Fund, an amazing organization with a laudable mission:

"To provide humanitarian and development assistance to areas
in Vietnam; to provide communication, education and cultural
exchanges that reflects the best qualities of both cultures. To
create an environment brightened by hope and sustained by peace." 

 Nhung has always facilitated our Nhi Ha projects and I am so very grateful. Without her help, I'd be lost. Thank you D. O. V. E. Fund! I encourage you to check out their website.

This afternoon Nhung and I will pick up 2,770 200-page writing tablets for distribution to all 554 Nhi Ha students tomorrow. That will cover the entire school year. The schools are located in what was our entrenched position during the Battle of Nhi Ha. It's all very personal, the memories...gut-wrenching horror, death.. inescapable.

 Enemy Artillery Pounding Our Position at Nhi Ha-Jones Creek in Foreground

 Sgt. Larry Haddock, my Squad Leader at Nhi Ha. Saved my Ass May 6

 "The Kid" (me) May 6


Nhung and I will be on our way to Nhi Ha at 0630 tomorrow. The following day, Tuesday, I'll be heading back to Hue.





Comments

  1. Dodie GainesSeptember 4, 2022 at 7:46 PM

    Neil, have just completed reading every word of your blog. Look forward to future posts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. GmanSeptember 5, 2022 at 11:05 AM

    Quang Tri was my old stomping grounds!! Your photos bring back memories!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sept 12 1645 Vietnam Time - DaNang U.S. Naval Hospital-Gene Morrison

Image
Today Thong and I traveled by motorbike to seek out the site of the U. S. Naval Hospital in DaNang, where SSGT. Gene Morrison was airlifted subsequent to being severely wounded May 26, 1968. Thong had a general idea, but we poked around until finding it. The Vietnam-era building was replaced on the original foundation by a new hospital. The main gate to the new hospital is in the identical location of the U.S. Naval Hospital gate, through which Morrison would have been transported.  Site of U.S. Naval Hospital, DaNang, Vietnam SSGT Morrison's chopper would have landed on a helipad right about here. It has obviously not been maintained, but this is the pad. Then the wounded Marine would have been taken by ambulance a very short distance to the hospital.  Vietnam-Era Helipad for U. S. Naval Hospital, DaNang Here are the hangers for the helicopters at the U.S. Naval Hospital Helipad. We wanted to get inside the wall, but it's now a military installation of some sort and soldiers ...
Read more

Sept 16 0830 Vietnam Time - Another Visit with Mr. Thuong

Image
After the Sept 9 chicken distribution, we drove a short distance to the house of Mr. Thuong. There were many banana trees en route. Just two years old when he fell into a fire, reducing his hands to mere stubs, Thuong has adapted amazingly well and can tackle about any task. He has a huge grove of papaya trees, the fruit of which is sold at local markets. He picked a few ripe ones for us. He also raises chickens and pigs. However, a swine disease has temporarily placed a halt on pig production. A vaccine has been developed but, much like the covid-19 vaccine for humans, it doesn't necessarily prevent infection. We took a look at the 50 chickens that he had received from us earlier that day. And it was a pleasure meeting Thuong's mother.   With handshakes & hugs, we were on our way to see Mrs.Vac.
Read more

Sept 19 2325 Singapore Time - On My Way Home

Image
Well, I left DaNang Airport at 1155 and arrived in Singapore 3 hours later. The last time that I flew DaNang to Singapore was July '68. A huey was dropping off supplies to my field  company when someone hollered out, "Hannan, R & R."  I had had no clue if I would ever get an R & R or, if so, where it might be. I rushed to the chopper with my M-79 and pack and jumped on board. My head was still spinning as it lifted off and headed for Chu Lai. Then came a cold beer (something cold!), a shower (I had been in the field since Feb), and a haircut (longest my hair had ever been). From Chu Lai I believe that it was a C-130 that flew me to DaNang.   Leaving DaNang Air Base July '68 When standing on the tarmac in DaNang July '68, about to board a plane destined to Singapore for 5 days R & R, someone tapped me on the shoulder. To my surprise, it was Gary Davidson (aka G-Man) from my hometown of Versailles, Ohio. He was going on R & R in Taipei. What a coinci...
Read more